A NEW family centre is being denied funding from a #39.9 million pot of money, because it's just ten feet outside the scheme's boundary.

The Community Contact Family Centre, in Handsworth, is barely more than a metre away from a financial lifeline in Hamstead Road, which forms the boundary for the SRB6 area.

A tiny front path is all that separates the centre from Hamstead Road.

But that is considered too far for it to receive any cash aid.

The three-storey unit set up by COPE, the Black Mental health Foundation, aims to support mainly African Caribbean families.

It wants to launch a mediation service for absent parents, a community base, cafe and play area for families.

Alot of work has already been done, but more funding is needed for a passenger lift and to convert the former home into community and office space.

SRB6 (Single Regeneration Budget Round 6) was launched in partnership with Advantage West Midlands and the city council in 2000 to provide #39.9 million in improvements to the north west of Birmingham.

Family centre manager Camille Ade-John, who also chairs the Jamaican Cultural Association, said: "It's very disappointing and frustrating because a centre like this is so badly needed.

"Our front door is literally on Hamstead Road and all the people who would benefit from the centre live in the SRB6 area anyway.

"We've had great support from the Lozells and East Handsworth ward, the Lottery and the Handsworth Area Regeneration Trust.

"Our centre will open but it is a headache trying to secure funding to complete the vital work needed."

An SRB6 spokeswoman said: " Our Community Infrastructure Project has been extremely successful and a significant number of organisations have been able to improve their premises.

"Unfortunately, demand for the scheme has exceeded the resources and the decision was taken to adhere strictly to the SRB6 area boundary."